For the past two weeks, there has been speculation surrounding the Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and whether or not the relationship may be fractured after Stroman took to social media to provide an update on contract negotiations.
Many have taken Stroman's post out of context and used it as a misguided attempt to say that the starting pitcher has requested a trade or that the team's front office is upset with how things have played out thus far. That couldn't be further from the truth and Cubs' president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer confirmed that notion on Monday during an interview with the "Mully and Haugh Show" on 670 The Score.
"“I wouldn’t call it a controversy,” Hoyer said. “I actually think it’s a positive. He really wants to be here. That’s a great thing. I feel like he’s been so positive for us since he got here. I think I said it to the media, when we got him, we said, “Hey let’s let this guy be himself. He works as hard as anybody. But let’s take the boundaries off a little and let him be him and let him prepare how he wants to prepare.’ And he’s been awesome for us.”"Jed Hoyer via 670 The Score
This is not Jed Hoyer's first rodeo in regard to contract negotiations.
Hoyer is not going to get all out of sorts because a player took to social media to provide an update on contract negotiations.
When it comes to situations like these, there is always a need to silence the noise and look at the facts. The Cubs are winning games. Marcus Stroman has been the best-starting pitcher in the National League and has expressed a desire to remain with the team. As long as those two facts remain true, the chances will be that an extension is more likely for Stroman than a trade.